Circuit-controller.



E. ROTHWELL.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25, 1907.

Patented June 14, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. ROTHWELL. 011101111 CONTROLLER.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 25, 1907.

961,164. Patented June 14, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A rTEs 7. [IV/[W705 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST ROTHWELL, OF MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO ROTHWELLS PATENTS SYNDICATE, 0F BURY, ENGLAND.

CIRCUIT-CONTROLLER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST RoTHwnLL, a subject of the King of Great Britain, re siding at 71 Great Cheetham street west, lllanchester, in the county of Lancaster, England, electrical engineer, have invented a certain new and useful Circuit-Controller, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric railways working on the surface contact system and of the kind in which the live rail or rails is or are divided into sections to suit the length of coaches or cars employed, the chief object being to provide improved cir cuit controllers for each rail section adapted to work independently of each other and to automatically control the supply of current to the said sections in whichever direction the coaches or cars travel.

According to this invention each section of the rail is provided with a circuit controller which is normally in an open posi tion and is provided with a switch actuated by a shunt coil so as to close the main circuitbetween the distributer and the corresponding rail section when a car traveling in either direction arrives on said section, said switch being mechanically retained in its closed position, until released by the operation of a trip device, which operation is automatically effected by mechanism contained in said circuit controller and actuated when the car leaves the aforesaid rail section.

An important feature of this invention consists in the employment of an electromagnetic retaining device arranged in such a manner that if the main current supply fails from any cause, and the car stops on the same section of the rail as that on which it was running when the supply failed, the mechanism for efiecting the operation of the trip device is prevented from becoming operative so that the circuit controller will remain closed and when the main supply is restored, the car will proceed without any attention being required to be given to the said circuit breaker; also the arrangement is such that if the car by reason of its momentum travels over several sections after the main supply has failed, thus leaving the circuit breaker which was last actuated in a position in which the main circuit through that controller is still closed, the restoration of the main current supply will automat'-' Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 11119 14, 191() Application filed June 25, 1907.

Serial No. 380,683.

ically break the said main circuit by throwing the said circuit breaker out of action.

The foresaid trip device is actuated by a trip coil the circuit of which is completed by the movement of a pair of suitably controlled lever or contact arms which are operated by a coil in-seri'es with the aforesaid shunt coil and which is preferably shortcircuited at suitable periods during the operation of the circuit breaker.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the same more fully with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit controller in its open or inoperative position, and previous to the passage of the current through the shunt coil circuit. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the circuit controller in its closed position. Fig. 3 is an elevation showing diagrammatically a device for mechanically retaining the switch of the circuit controller in its closed position. Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views showing a car in two difierent posit-ions; in these two figures the switch of the controller is only shown in outline, details of construction being omitted.

A is the current distributer and A A are two sections of the rail with which the skates A which are usually attached to the coach or car A atthe front and rear ends thereof, make contact as the said coach or car travels over the ordinary track rails.

B is the shunt coil, and B its armature carrying the switch arm 6.

C is the coil which is in series with the shunt coil B and is wound upon the core C, thus constituting an electromagnetic device adapted to actuate the levers or contact arms G and G which are suitably controlled as for example by springs or weights.

D is the trip coil and E a switch comprising a stationary contact 6 and a movable contact 6 for controlling the shunt coil circuit.

F is a coil in series with the main circuit between the distributor A and the rail A.

G is a catchpiece controlled by the catch coil G and its core G, these parts constituting the electromagnetic retaining device.

The mechanical retaining device comprises a catch or trip device D adapted to engage with a notch or recess B in the armature B. The trip coil D, when energized, attracts a heavy or weighted armature D secured to the axle D to which are also attached the catch D and movable contact e, the latter being mounted upon a blade spring 6 or the like so as to be slightly resilient.

Before a car travels on to the section rail A Fig. 4, the parts of the circuit controller belonging to that section are as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4. The main current passes from the distributer A, across the switch arm I), through the wire 7 and coil F to the rail section A and thence through the skate A and thecar drivers switch m to the motor M and thence through the axle and wheels of the car to the ordinary track rails, which serve to return the current to the main supply. Then the front skate of the car travels on to the section A, as shown in Fig. 5, an electric current passes from the distributer A through the closed circuit controller of the preceding rail A and through the said skate and the rail A to the coil F, of the corresponding controller and thence through the conducting wire f and switch E to the shunt coil B. From the shunt coil B, the current passes through the conducting wires 7), b the short-circuiting contact 0 the catch coil G and the conducting wire 9 to earth at 6 The coil G is meanwhile short circuited by the conducting wire 6 and the short-circuiting contact 0 since the current in the shunt circuit is insuflicient to cause the coil F to attract said shortcircuiting contact from its normal position in which it is held by a spring. The excitation of the core G of the catch coil G attracts the catch Gr and the passage of the current through the shunt coil B operates the switch by causing the armature B to be moved so that the switch arm I) connects the terminals a, a, thereby completing the main circuit from the distributer A to the section A of the rail. As the armature reaches this posit-ion the catch D acting under the influence of the heavy or weighted armature D enters the notch or recess B in the armature B and mechanically retains the same in its closed position until released by the excitation of the trip coil D as hereinafter described. The main current now passing from the distributer A across the switch arm I) and through the coil F attracts the short-circuiting contact 0 and thereby throws the coil C in series with the shunt coil B, so that the current in the shunt circuit now passes through the coils B and C and conducting wire 0 to the catch coil G wound upon the core G, and from coil G said current passes through the conducting wire 9 to earth at 6 The pivoted levers or contact arms C 0 which are balanced by weights as shown or by other suitable means so that they normally occupy the position shown in Fig. 1, are now attracted so that the various parts of the circuit controller take up the positions indicated in Fig. 2; the stops which limit the outward positions of the levers C C are such as to insure that the lever C is actuated so that the arms of the fork 0 are lifted from the mercury cups or contacts d, 0Z before the arms of the fork 0 of the lever C complete the connection between the mercury cups or contacts (Z CF. The circuit controller remains closed as indicated in Fig. 2 until the rear skate of the car leaves the rail A. The short circuiting contact 0 then returns and short circuits the coil C so that the lever C falls into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2; the lever G is however retained in the same osition as previously by the attraction of the core 0 due to its residual magnetism and the intimate contact of the lever C with the said core. The lever C having fallen, the circuit from the switch arm Z) through the trip coil D is completed by way of the cups or contacts '61, (Z conducting wire d cups or contacts d (Z and conducting wire (Z to earth at The completion of the trip coil circuit causes the trip coil D to attract the armature D and thereby simultaneously release the catch D from engagement with the armature B and operate the switch E so as to break the shunt coil circuit. The armature B therefore falls, and the tail piece B strikes the weighted end of the lever O and thereby overcomes the magnetic attraction of the core C. The switch is then open and in position to be operated by the passage of another car. If the supply from the power station fails and a car which is on section A of the rail comes to a standstill on that section, the lever C might fall with the result that when the supply was restored the trip coil circuit would be excited and the circuit controller thrown out of action. To avoid this occurrence, the catch-coil G and core G are provided, and the sudden failure in the supply of current allows the catch G to move so that its hooked end passes behind the projection C on the lever C before the latter can fall, and the said lever C is consequently maintained in its raised position. If the supply from the power station fails, and a train which is traveling ata high speed moves by reason of its momentum over several sections of the rail leaving the last operated circuit controller with its switch in its closed position as it was when the sup ply failed, the lever C of that circuit controller will be held up as above described. \Vhen the supply is however restored, current flows through the circuit containing the shunt coil B and catch coil G so that the catch G is attracted, and the lever C released, thereby causing current to pass through the trip coil circuit and open the circuit controller ready for future operations.

The coil F is designed to carry the full current required by the coach or car, and when the main circuit is closed by the attraction of the armature B, the short-circuiting contact 0 is opened as hereinbefore described. As soon as the rear skate of the coach or car leaves the rail section A", the only current that can flow through the coil F is that taken by the car itself, and if the power is for any reason switched ofi from the motors of the coach or car, the only current then taken by the latter will be that required for lighting and heating of the coach or car, unless some additional device is introduced to absorb extra current. It is essential however that the minimum current taken by the coach or car shall not fall below that necessary to energize the coil F sufficient-ly to keep the contact 0 in its open position until the coach or car leaves the rail section A. At night, or when a tunnel is being traversed, the current absorbed by the lamps will be sufficient to insure the minimum current being attained and the coil F being energized to the required extent, but when lamps are not being used some substitution-a1 resistance is provided to take their place. Such a resistance, connected 011 the one side to the main circuit through the controller and on the other side to earth, is shown in dotted lines at R in Fig. 4.

hat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A circuit controller for each rail section of a surface contact railway system involving a current distributer, a car, track rails, rail sections and front and rear skates for contact with said rail sections, comprising a switch for completing the main circuit between the distributer and the corresponding rail section, electrical means operating to close said switch when the front skate of a car arrives on said rail section, mechanical means for retaining the switch closed as long as the car is on the aforesaid rail section, and automatically acting means contained within said circuit controller and acting independently of other circuit controllers for rendering the aforesaid electrical means and mechanical means inoperative as soon as the rear skate of the car has passed beyond the said rail section.

2. A circuit controller for each rail section of a surface contact railway system involving a current distributer, a car, track rails, rail sections, and front and rear skates for contact with said rail sect-ions, comprising a switch for completing the main circuit between the distributer and the corresponding rail section, electrical means operating to close said switch when the front skate of a car arrives on said rail section, mechanical as the car is on the aforesaid rail section, a trip coil adapted when energized to cause the aforesaid electrical means and mechanical means to become inoperative, contact arms for completing the circuit of the said trip coil, and an electromagnetic device for controlling the movements of said contact arms.

3. A circuit controller for each rail section of a surface contact railway system involving a current distributer, a car, track rails, rail sections and front and rear skates for contact with said rail sections, comprising a switch for completing the main circuit between the distributer and the correspond ing rail section, electrical means operating to close said switch when the front skate of a car arrives on said rail section, mechanical means for retaining the switch closed as long as the car is on the aforesaid rail section, a trip coil adapted when energized to cause the aforesaid electrical means and mechanical means to become inoperative, an electromagnetic device comprising an iron core and a coil thereon, means for short-circuiting said coil when the rear skate of the car has passed over the aforesaid rail section, a contact arm for bridging a gap in the trip coil circuit, said contact arm being attracted by said electromagnetic device and retained in its operative position by the residual magnetism of said core after the coil thereon is short circuited, and a second contact arm also attracted by said electromagnetic device and adapted to move, when the aforesaid coil is short circuited, into a position to complete the trip coil circuit.

4. A circuit controller for each rail section of a surface contact railway system involving a current distributer, a car, track rails, rail sections and front and rear skates for contact with said rail sections, comprising a shunt coil energized when the front skate of the car passes onto the corresponding rail section, an armature actuated thereby, a switch arm carried thereon and adapted when moved by the energizing of the shunt coil to complete the main circuit between the distributer and the corresponding rail section, mechanical means for retaining the switch arm in its closed position, a trip coil adapted when energized to cause the aforesaid shunt coil and mechanical means to become inoperative, an electromagnetic device comprising an iron core and a coil thereon electrically connected in series with said shunt coil, means for short circuiting l the coil of the said electromagnetic device after the rear skate of the car has passed over the aforesaid rail section, a contact arm for bridging a gap in the trip coil circuit, said contact arm being attracted by said electromagnetic device and retained in its operative position by the residual magnetism of said core after the coil thereon ismeans for retaining the switch closed as long i short-circuited, a second contact arm also attracted by said electromagnetic device and adapted to move, when the aforesaid coil is short-circuited, into a position to complete the trip coil circuit, and means for releasing said magnetically retained contact arm when the switch arm has moved to open the main circuit.

5. A circuit controller for each rail section of a surface contact railway system involving a current distributer, a car, track rails, rail sections and front and rear skates for contact with said rail sections, comprising a switch for completing the main circuit between the distributer and the corresponding rail section, electrical means operating to close said switch when the front skate of a car arrives on said rail section, mechanical means for retaining the switch closed as long as the car is on the aforesaid rail section, automatically acting means contained within said circuit controller and act ing independently of other circuit controllers for rendering the aforesaid electrical means and mechanical means inoperative as soon as the rear skate of the car has passed beyond the said rail section, and means whereby if the main current supply fails and the car stops on the same rail section as that on which it was traveling when the failure occurred, the aforesaid automatically acting means is prevented from rendering the electrical means and mechanical means inoperative.

(3. A circuit controller for each rail section of a surface contact railway system involving a current distributer, a car, track rails, rail sect-ions, and front and rear skates for contact with said rail sections, comprising a switch for completing the main circuit between the distributer and the corresponding rail section, electrical means operating to close said switch when the front skate of a car arrives on said rail section, mechanical means for retaining the switch closed as long as the car is on the aforesaid rail section, automatically acting means contained within said circuit controller and acting independently of other circuit controllers for rendering the aforesaid electrical means and mechanical means inoperative as soon as the rear skate of the car has passed beyond the said rail section, and means whereby, if the supply fails and a car owing to its momentum travels over several rail sections leaving the circuit controller that was last actuated in its closed position, the restoration of the current supply will cause it to be automatic ally rendered inoperative.

7. A circuit controller for each rail section of a surface contact railway system involving a current distributer, a car, track rails, rail sections and front and rear skates for contact with said rail sections, comprising a switch for completing the main circuit between the distributer and the corresponding rail section, electrical means operating to close said switch when the front skate of a car arrives on said rail section, mechanical means for retaining the switch closed as long as the car is on the aforesaid rail section, a trip coil adapted when energized to cause the aforesaid electrical means and mechanical means to become inoperative, contact arms for completing the circuit of the said trip coil, an electromagnetic device for controlling the movement of the said contact arms, and an electromagnetic retaining device for temporarily preventing one of said contact arms from moving into its circuit completing position if the main current supply fails.

8. A circuit controller for each rail section of a surface contact railway system involving a current distributer, a car, track rails, rail sections and front and rear skates for contact with said rail sections, comprising a switch for completing the main circuit between the distributer and the corresponding rail section, electrical means operating to close said switch when the front skate of a car arrives on said rail section, mechanical means for retaining the switch closed as long as the car is on the aforesaid rail section, a trip coil adapted when energized to cause the aforesaid electrical means and mechanical means to become inoperative, an electromagnetic device comprising an iron core and a coil thereon, means for short-circuiting said coil when the rear skate of the car has passed over the aforesaid rail section, a contact arm for bridging a gap in the trip coil circuit, said contact arm being attracted by said electro-magnetic device and retained in its operative position by the residual magnetism of said core after the coil thereon is short circuited, a second contact arm also attracted by said electromagnetic device and adapted to move, after the aforesaid coil is short-circuited, into a position to complete the trip coil circuit except in the event of the main current supply failing, and an electromagnetic retaining device for temporarily preventing the last mentioned contact arm from moving into its circuit completing position if the main current supply fails.

9. A circuit controller for each rail section of a surface contact railway system involving a current distributer, a car, track rails, rail sections and front and rear skates for contact with said rail sections, comprising a shunt coil energized when the front skate of the car passes onto the corresponding rail section, an armature actuated thereby, a switch arm carried thereon and adapted when moved by the energizing of the shunt coil to complete the main circuit between the distributer and the corresponding rail section, mechanical means for retaining the switch arm in its closed position, a trip coil adapted when energized to cause the aforesaid shunt coil and mechanical means to become inoperative, an electromagnetic device comprising an iron core and a coil thereon electrically connected in series With said shunt coil, means for short circuiting said coil When the car has passed over the aforesaid rail section, a contact arm for bridging a gap in the trip coil circuit, said contact arm being attracted by said electromagnetic device and retained in its operative position by the residual magnetism of said core When the coil thereon is short circuited, a second contact arm also attracted by said electromagnetic device and adapted to move, When the aforesaid coil is short-circuited, into a position to complete the trip coil circuit, except in the event of the main current supply failing, means for releasing said magnetically retained contact arm When the main circuit is broken, and an electromagnetic retaining device comprising an iron core, a coil thereon, and a catch piece pivoted thereto, said catch piece being adapted to temporarily hold the said second contact arm from moving into its circuit completing position if the main current supply ails.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

ERNEST ROTHWELL. Witnesses: I

ALFRED Gr. TERNENT, S. BECKER. 

